From June to August, dozens of Franklin & Marshall students pursued research opportunities supported by donor funding through various campus offices. These students engage in paid, full-time research opportunities while enjoying all that Lancaster has to offer.

For Hackman scholar and junior Aayat Tahir, a typical summer day on campus began with laboratory work and wound down with miniature golf, painting pottery downtown or a movie night with roommates. 

Tahir began her days with a workout or walk – “I am a morning person who is a creature of habit,” she says – before getting ready for a 9-to-5 job as the organic chemistry research lab assistant. Her particular research is synthesizing isotopically labeled nitrile-nucleotides for ribonucleic acid (RNA) studies under the tutelage of chemistry professors Ed Fenlon and Scott Brewer. 

Below, see what Tahir learned this summer. 

Aayat Tahir '26

• Majors: Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Minor: English
• Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
• Activities on campus: Housing adviser at Ware College House, member of Ware Parliament, general member of Muslim Student Association

What inspired you to take on this research?

I was a student of Professor Fenlon’s for organic chemistry class and have always liked the subject, but his teaching crystallized my interest. I decided to explore research opportunities on campus related to organic synthesis. I stumbled upon Professor Fenlon’s research on nucleic acids and was in awe of how his previous students had worked hard in collaborating with our partner, Micura Research Laboratory in Austria, for work on modifying RNA structure for advanced studies. I knew Professor Fenlon would make a perfect mentor, and I got to learn so much during my time in his lab.

What skills have you been able to learn or practice?

I realized how researchers aren’t given enough credit for their patience and perseverance! I got better equipped at dealing with setbacks and failures. There were many times when my experiments failed; I messed up exact measurements while setting up reactions; or even if the results came through, the yields were too low. Even though it can be disheartening, I soon understood how my colleagues and professors didn’t consider my efforts any less, since failure is a common phenomenon that drives major scientific discoveries.

Why did you choose to attend F&M?

I am someone who thrives in close-knit environments and one-on-one connections with my professors and peers. F&M’s small class size was perfect for me to engage with my teachers and make the most of my learning experience. Also, I was offered good financial aid as an international student.

"Every professor who I have had has shown immense passion for their subject and compassion for their students."

Aayat Tahir '26